Page 63 of Never Tell Secrets

“Oh!” I stepped back, staring at Pollyanna Berry. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”

“I’m done,” she said, zipping up her dress. A light steam in the air told me she’d just taken a shower, though I wouldn’t have known that from looking at her. She looked perfectly pristine. She passed me and headed for the mirrors, reapplying her lipstick. I was about to leave her to it, when she spoke. “So, how did you enjoy the club?”

“It was…interesting.”

“I’m sure. I can’t imagine someone like you getting to experience something like this very often.” She eyed me in the mirror, giving me a smile she didn’t mean. “Did you have to borrow that dress?”

“Alfie bought it for me.”

“Of course he did.” Her smile grew wider. “It’s so kind of him to help the needy.”

I had to stifle a laugh at her jibes. Two years ago they would have upset me, but now I found them amusing. My gaze landed on the love bite on her neck. She caught me looking and touched the mark.

“Those Tellers have quite an appetite.” Maybe I’d been wrong about Keira being the one they’d shared? I figured the culprit was either Damien or Cas. “I do enjoy them, but it’s so nice tohave Mr Tell back. I can’t wait to get reacquainted with him.” She smiled again and turned on her heel.

“Yeah, you have fun with that,” I muttered as she walked out the door.

I relieved myself quickly before checking my reflection. Surprisingly, I didn’t look too bad. I washed my hands and stepped back into the room, unsurprised to find Pollyanna pressing herself flush against Alfie and him looking bored by it.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to step on your toes.” She smiled wide at me. Every eye in the room landed on me, waiting for my reaction. I didn’t respond. She blinked at my silence. “Well…thanks for another fun night, boys. Alfie, I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek before gliding out the door. Alfie’s eyes darted to mine, clearly waiting for the explosion.

“What?”

“No cat fight?” He sounded slightly disappointed. I rolled my eyes.

“I can do personal growth too, you know. Letting petty bitches get to me issotwo years ago.” I crossed the room to him. “You should have had her clean her drool off your shoes though. That shit is gross.” I turned to his amused Tellers, smiling at each of them in turn. “It was really good to meet all of you. Thank you for taking care of my friends.” The four of them stared at me before muttering various you’re welcome’s and goodbye’s.

Halfway out the door, Damien called after us. “Hey, Tell? Keep a hold of that one.”

I looked up at Alfie, who was smiling at his friend. “I plan to.”

Twenty-Two

Iawoke to the late afternoon sun shining through my window and the rhythmic thudding of Keira’s sewing machine coming from the living room.

Alfie…

I could still feel his body encasing me, not suffocating like the python he used to be, but safe like an oak tree, warm and protective.

My fingers rested on my throat as I slept, stroking the place where the collar had been. Alfie had removed it in the car and immediately I felt colder without it. I missed it in a way I didn’t understand. It wasn’t a kink. It was more than that. It connected me to Alfie, marked me as his. I missed it the same way I would miss a wedding ring.

I thought about the ring he’d offered me once, the bleeding heart diamond that sat silent in his time capsule room. Part of me missed the ignorance he’d kept me in back then. Facing the reality of his false promises had been a hell I didn’t wish on anyone. But everything was different now.

I stretched and sat up. My dress lay in a crumpled heap on the floor. I threw on sleep shorts and a t-shirt and went to find Keira.

She was at her work station in the living room, swearing at ruffled taffeta that apparently wasn’t cooperating with her.

“Hey.”

She looked up, her usual playfulness gone from her eyes. “Hey, yourself.” She turned back to her work, distracted or pissed at me I wasn’t sure.

“Keira, are we good? I’m really sorry I ditched you last night.”

“I’m a big girl, Lo. We’re fine.” She threw me a smile over her shoulder but I could sense something was off. “How was your night? Did Moneybags behave himself?”

“Yes, actually.” I moved to sit on the couch next to her work station. “We talked, we danced, he brought me home.”

“That’s it?” Her brows raised so high I thought they might fly off her forehead. I just shrugged. Alfie had surprised me too. She bit her lip, frowning as she turned back to her work. “I hate that twisted prick,” she muttered. I said nothing, no need to respond to something I already knew. “But, you’ve been sleeping better since he came back.” It was true. I was still having nightmares but there were far less of them since that first night I’d seen him again. “Please, just be smart.”